Call to fix rail networks to handle the grain harvest

A major bulk grain handler is calling for government spending on rail as New South Wales faces a record harvest.

David Ginns from the bulk carrier Graincorp said the company is in constant touch with authorities about the state of the network.

There has long been concern that when the drought ended there would be problems because so many rail lines have been mothballed or closed.

Mr Ginns said a federal review had recommended stakeholders prioritise the works needed.

But he said despite Graincorp asking the New South Wales government to act on that recommendation more than a year ago, it hasn't.

"We'd really like to see some of the outcomes of the review that the state government paid for and undertook 18 months or two years ago," said Mr Ginns.

"That was followed up by a federal government review of the rail network in New South Wales which we saw zero action out of."

Mr Ginns said the neglect of rail is having both an environmental and economic cost and he is urging governments to invest in the area.

"The less access to rail the more grain is going to be forced onto road."

"That creates extra traffic obviously but it also creates extra damage to the road."

"Transporting grain by rail is about two thirds more efficient and if you can transport grain at about effectively a third the amount of emissions that you do by road, then surely that's got to tell us seomthing," said Mr Ginns.

Mr Ginns said another problem is that six sidings south of Junee on the main southern line are closed and only trucks can deliver to them.

He said the Australian Rail Track Corporation needs to invest in fixing sidings to take grain trucks off the roads.

"Those sidings haven't been maintained to a state where they can be used," he said.

"They're booked out because they're unfit for use."

"And we would say that it's ARTC's responsibility to ensure those sidings are maintained to a level where they can be used," said Mr Ginns.